Aliso Viejo-based Johnny Rockets continues to focus on international growth, opening its first restaurant in Tunisia this month.
The 3,500 square feet location seats around 90 guests.
"We are excited to welcome Tunisian guests to the first American casual restaurant franchise in the country," Walid Gahbiche, a franchise partner,

Today
“Wines and Wishes” Wine Festival: At an event to benefit Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, wine lovers can sample bottles from nearly 20 boutique and renowned wineries, including Justin Vineyards and Winery, Cakebread Cellars and Rombauer Vineyards, along with bites from Kaleidoscope’

I try to avoid polyester, but that’s been increasingly difficult lately. I’ve noticed polyester napkins creeping up at restaurants all across the county, a trend I wish would stop.
Oh, sure, I get it. Restaurants want to appear upscale, and one way to create that impression is to use cloth napkins. Polyester costs less to mai

One of the concessions at the main beach in Corona del Mar recently got a makeover – and a chef.
It’s called Tackle Box. It’s an old building that’s been around forever, but this is probably the first time a real chef has ever stepped into the kitchen.
It’s Brian Huskey, who has worked at Leatherby&r

Long ago, before there were cellphones, there was Naugles.
“Going to Naugles was how we found out what was going on,” said Carolyn Craft, 49, of Fountain Valley. “Every Saturday night, you would meet in the Naugles parking lot. We had no other way to communicate. If there was no party going on somewhere else, we just st

Full-fat yogurt is a game changer.
Thicker, creamier and more alluring, its luxurious texture and flavor enable it to masquerade as ice cream or sour cream, the plain, unflavored style edging out more complicated, savory toppings on dishes such as couscous, pureed soups or spicy braised chicken. Yogurt-based marinades make meat tender an

Fresh & Easy confirmed plans Wednesday to close three more Orange County grocery stores, as it continues to downsize in an ever-challenging Southern California supermarket industry.
The locations, to close by the end of the week, are in Fountain Valley, Lake Forest and Seal Beach. They are among 14 slated for closure by the El Segund

The long-defunct Naugles opened this week in Fountain Valley, marking the comeback of a beloved Mexican fast-food brand that disappeared in the 1990s after a merger with Del Taco.
The opening in a tiny industrial storefront was meant to be quiet – with news released only to “social media” fans in recent days, co-owner C

Raising Cane’s, a Southern fast-food chain known for its simple menu of fried chicken tenders, has broken ground on the first of three locations planned to open this year in Orange County.
A restaurant in Costa Mesa, at 3150 Harbor Blvd., will be the first Raising Cane’s to open in California as the Louisiana-based chain marc

Joe’s Italian Ice, a popular roadside frozen treat stand in Garden Grove, will close in late summer to make room for a hotel and conference center on Harbor Boulevard.
The red, white and green dessert shack, known for serving authentic Philadelphia style fruit-flavored “water ice,” has been a fixture on Harbor since it

With all the burgers, poutine, truffle parmesan fries and heavy pasta dishes on Project West’s menu, one important element seems missing: Beer.
“We’re in the making, (we’re) becoming a gastropub,” restaurant co-owner Tedmund Nguyen, said.
In June Nguyen and co-owner Anthony Hoang opened their

On Friday, Uber will work with local ice cream purveyors from around the world to deliver ice cream to doorsteps using their vast car network.
In Orange County, Uber is partnering with Dippin’ Dots. For $20, customers can get a variety pack of five, 3-ounce cups of the flash-frozen ice cream bits. Flavors include: chocolate, vanill

Among local culinary wizards, a handful of veterans rise head and shoulders above the rest. Brimming with creativity and proven leadership ability, each has the physical stamina and strength of character to put out fires – sometimes literally – and leave it all behind the kitchen door when he walks into the dining room to graciously